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Twila Kilgore’s penultimate match at the USWNT helm didn’t get off to an ideal start but the resiliency that the team has built under their interim head coach proved useful once again on Saturday in Atlanta.
The USWNT booked their place into the SheBelieves Cup Final after registering a 2-1 semifinal victory over Japan.
Entering the match, Mallory Swanson hadn’t played a USWNT game in 363 days after tearing her patellar tendon nearly a year ago, Catarina Macario hadn’t played a USWNT game in 725 days after tearing her ACL nearly two years ago, and Jaedyn Shaw had scored in every USWNT start she made.
Luckily, only two of those things changed on Saturday afternoon in front of a record crowd of 50,644 for a friendly on home soil in Atlanta.
“I’ve heard this is the biggest crowd that we’ve had since [the] 1999 World Cup Final which is incredible,” Kilgore showed her appreciation. “I think the players deserve this sort of energy around them. It was so incredible and for it to happen close to – it’s our home now – we’re moving here to Atlanta, U.S. Soccer’s home. It’s just an incredible feeling.”
Technically set to be in Trilith in Fayette County, the new U.S. Soccer National Training Center which will cover more than 200 acres of land was announced at the end of last year. The incredible atmosphere in Atlanta on Saturday was just the latest justification for U.S. Soccer’s decision as fans were treated to a comeback victory after a shaky start.
Only thirty seconds into the match, Japan’s Kiko Seike got in behind the American’s back line down the right flank after the home side was caught in possession in the middle of the park. This left fullback Jenna Nighswonger caught behind the play while center-back Tierna Davidson’s attempt to cover the gap was too little too late as Seike slotted home a pinpoint finish off the inside of the far post. Always eager to set a new record, the USWNT conceded in the…
Source link : https://sbisoccer.com/2024/04/uswnt-continues-resilient-streak-with-2-1-comeback-win-over-japan
Author : Justin Ruderman
Publish date : 2024-04-06 21:58:18
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